What is epidemy?

An epidemic is an outbreak of an infectious disease that spreads rapidly and infects a large number of people within a community or population in a short period of time. This can occur when a new or virulent virus or bacteria is introduced into a population that has low immunity to the disease. Epidemics can also occur when there is a breakdown in public health measures, such as inadequate vaccination or sanitation, or when people are unwilling or unable to follow public health guidelines for disease prevention. Examples of epidemics in recent history include the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the SARS epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling and preventing epidemics requires effective public health strategies, including vaccination, quarantine, contact tracing, and social distancing measures.